Arrest of Anfal Executioner Ajaj Ahmed Hardan Sparks Renewed Calls for Justice Across Kurdistan

Reports 02:21 PM - 2025-08-02

Arrested criminal Ajaj Ahmed Hardan.

The recent arrest of Ajaj Ahmed Hardan — a key figure accused of involvement in the Anfal campaign — has generated widespread support and renewed calls for justice across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Ajaj, also known as one of the chief perpetrators of the Ba’ath regime’s genocidal campaign against the Kurdish people, is believed to have played a central role in the execution and disappearance of thousands of Kurdish men, women, and children.

The Office of the Iraqi First Lady, in cooperation with the Office of the President, announced the arrest, prompting both joy and emotional reactions among survivors and the families of the victims. The arrest has reinvigorated public demand for accountability, with increasing numbers of political figures, government officials, and civil society actors urging victims’ heirs to file formal legal complaints against the accused to ensure justice is served.

Garmian Administration Urges Legal Action Following Arrest of Anfal Perpetrator Ajaj Ahmed Hardan

In a statement, the Supervisor of the Garmian Administration expressed gratitude to the Presidency of the Republic and all relevant institutions involved in the arrest. “We welcome the apprehension of Ajaj Ahmed Hardan — a notorious executioner of the Anfal campaign — and extend our deepest thanks to the Office of the President and all those who contributed to this major step towards justice,” the statement read.

Ajaj, who served as director of the notorious Nugra Salman prison, is remembered by survivors as a symbol of cruelty and oppression. His name is etched in the memories of many Anfal victims and their families, particularly those from Garmian, who suffered extensively under his command.

The Garmian Administration called on all institutions involved in documenting the Anfal genocide, as well as the relatives and heirs of the victims — especially those who were imprisoned, tortured, or lost loved ones under Ajaj’s supervision — to come forward and file legal cases.

“We in the Garmian Administration will support and cooperate with every initiative aimed at serving the cause of the Anfal genocide and achieving justice for its victims,” the statement concluded.

Dr Yousef Goran: We Appreciate the Role of Iraq’s First Lady in Pursuit of Justice

Dr Yousef Goran has expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Iraq’s First Lady in securing the arrest of Ajaj Ahmed Hardan, a key figure accused of involvement in the Anfal genocide. He emphasised that this step not only serves justice but also sets a precedent for holding all perpetrators of the Anfal campaign accountable.

"The restoration of justice and the prosecution of this criminal will pave the way for the trial of all those responsible for shedding the blood of our people," Dr Goran said.

He added: "It is fitting to commend the First Lady of Iraq, who played a pivotal role in the arrest of this criminal. Her efforts reflect the true principles of the PUK, as embodied today by President Bafel Jalal Talabani."

Sirwan Talabani: Ajaj’s Accomplices Must Also Be Brought to Justice

Sirwan Talabani has welcomed the arrest of Ajaj Ahmed Hardan, describing it as a positive step and expressing appreciation to all those involved in making it possible. However, he stressed that justice cannot be fully served unless Ajaj’s collaborators — including those who enabled and facilitated the Anfal genocide — are also held accountable.

"While the arrest of this criminal is commendable, it is even more important to pursue and prosecute those who committed the crimes of Anfal and handed over victims to individuals like Ajaj," he said.

Talabani gave particular emphasis to the role of Kurdish collaborators, stating: “It is especially outrageous that certain Kurdish informants — who played a role in the Anfal campaign — continue to live freely and shamelessly in front of the families of the victims. Many of them have outstanding arrest warrants, yet they remain at large.”

He concluded by calling for a comprehensive judicial process to ensure that all those responsible, regardless of rank or background, are brought to justice for their crimes against the Kurdish people.

Karwan Yarwais: Ajaj’s Confession Must Be Recorded as Evidence

Karwan Yarwais, PUK lawmaker in the Iraqi Parliament, has welcomed the arrest of Ajaj Ahmed Hardan, known as “Ajaj of Nugra Salman”, and called for his crimes to be fully documented through his own testimony.

Speaking to PUKMEDIA, Yarwais said: “Throughout history, no oppressor has ever escaped divine justice or the rule of law. Ajaj of Nugra Salman, the executioner of the Anfal campaign, has now fallen into the hands of justice.”

He continued: “Sooner or later, all those responsible — the oppressors, executioners, and participants in the Anfal genocide and other crimes — must be brought to justice. Their victims deserve accountability.”

Yarwais stressed the importance of preserving Ajaj’s testimony as part of the legal process.

“All of his crimes must be recorded from his own mouth, to serve as evidence and to ensure that the truth is documented for history and for justice,” he added.

Taban Garmyani: Ajaj Must Be Tried in Garmian to Deliver Justice

Taban Garmyani, former member of the PUK Leadership Council, has called for Ajaj Ahmed Hardan, the notorious executioner of the Anfal campaign, to be tried and sentenced in the Garmian region, where many of his crimes were committed.

“The arrest of Ajaj was truly a welcoming news,” Garmyani said. “Thank God we lived to witness this brutal criminal, a man responsible for countless atrocities, brought to shame. His name is etched in the painful memories of thousands of families of Anfal victims.”

She urged the relatives of those targeted during the Anfal campaign to take legal action: “I call on the families of Anfal victims to file formal complaints against this executioner and ensure that he is tried in Kurdistan — particularly in Garmian — so that he receives the punishment he deserves. Such justice would offer some measure of solace to us, the relatives of the victims.”

Genocide Writers Union: Arrest of Ajaj a Crucial Step Toward Justice

The Kurdistan Genocide Writers Union (KJWU) has issued a statement welcoming the arrest of Ajaj Ahmed Hardan, describing the development as “an important step” towards uncovering the full extent of the atrocities.

“The arrest of Ajaj represents a breakthrough — a critical key that could unlock many closed doors and reveal hidden truths about the systematic crimes committed during the Anfal campaign,” the statement read.

The Union emphasised the importance of conducting a thorough and expert-led investigation. It called for Ajaj’s confessions and testimonies to be recorded in the presence of a panel of genocide experts, with the goal of extracting detailed information that may lead to the identification and prosecution of others involved in the campaign.

Furthermore, the KJWU urged the families of Anfal victims to file legal complaints against Ajaj and other suspects before the courts in Baghdad, in order to help ensure that justice is served for one of the darkest chapters in Kurdish history.

Who is Ajaj Ahmed Hardan — A Key Perpetrator of the Anfal Campaign?

Ajaj Ahmed Hardan, also known as Hajaj, is one of the identified perpetrators of the Anfal campaign — the genocidal operation led by the former Ba'ath regime against the Kurdish people in the late 1980s, which martyred over 182,000 Kurds, including women, children, and the elderly.

Originally from Tikrit, he hails from the Al-Bu Nasir and Nizara tribes, the same tribal affiliation as Saddam Hussein. He held a senior position as a security officer during the Ba'athist era and played a notorious role in overseeing atrocities committed during the campaign, particularly at the Nugra Salman prison, where many Anfal victims were detained and executed.

Following the fall of the Ba'ath regime in 2003, Ajaj initially settled in Kirkuk before fleeing to Syria, where he resided in an apartment in the Jarmana neighbourhood of Damascus. During the trials of senior Ba'ath officials, he closely followed proceedings and was aware that he had been named as one of the individuals responsible for the Anfal crimes.

Ajaj had three sons. Two of them became fighters for al-Qaeda and were killed in combat in Zulu'iyah, Saladin province. His youngest son, Raid, lived with him in Syria. He was accompanied by two bodyguards, Sakhr and Shawqi, whose current whereabouts are unknown. Shawqi was last known to have sought asylum in Germany in 2011.

Ajaj Ahmed Hardan was eventually arrested with the assistance of the Office of the Iraqi President and First Lady, marking a significant step towards justice for the victims of the Anfal campaign.



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